CAMTL 160 (Five Year Rule Review: Ohio Works First: Federal Work Participation Rates and Repatriate Program)
Cash Assistance Manual Transmittal Letter No. 160
January 5, 2021
TO: All Cash Assistance Manual Holders
FROM: Kimberly Henderson, Director
SUBJECT: Five Year Rule Review: Ohio Works First: Federal Work Participation Rates and Repatriate Program

In accordance with section 106.03 of the Ohio Revised Code (ORC), each state agency is required to review each of its rules in the Ohio Administrative Code a minimum of once every five years.  The intent of the review is to ensure that Administrative Code rules are clearly written and that program requirements are accurate, up-to-date and clearly expressed.  To the extent possible, unnecessary paperwork will be eliminated, local agencies will be given increased flexibility, and any adverse impact on businesses will be eliminated or reduced.  As a result of the review, the agency may amend these rules; rescind these rules; or continue these rules without amendment.

This rule has been subject to a review by the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review (JCARR).  These rules will become effective on 01/10/2021.

Chapter 2000

5101:1-3-01 "Ohio Works First: Federal Work Participation Rates."

This rule describes the federal work participation requirements and activities for work eligible individuals. The Office of Family Assistance amended this rule with the following changes: 

  • The title of paragraph (A) was updated to “Which section of the Revised Code applies to federal work participation rates?”;
  • Paragraph (A)(1) was removed and replaced with “Section 5107.05 of the Revised Code authorizes the director of job and family services to adopt rules as necessary to comply with Title IV-A, Title IV-D, federal regulations, state law, and the state plan”;
  • Paragraph (A)(2) was removed and replaced with “The county agency will administer the work activity programs in accordance with the requirements contained in this rule and not in accordance with sections 5107.40, 5107.42 and 5107.44 of the Revised Code”;
  • The effective dates of references to 45 C.F.R. in paragraph (B) were updated;
  • Countable core and non-core federal work activities were moved to paragraph (F) and titled “What are countable federal work activities?”;
  • Paragraph (G) was updated to include the federal work participation requirements. Language regarding federal work activities was moved to paragraph (F) for clarity;
  • The paragraph regarding the single custodial parent disregard was moved to (G)(6) and language was added to improve clarity;
  • Paragraph (H) was added and describes when federal work participation hours are deemed to have been met; 
  • Minor language changes were also made to improve clarity.

Chapter 4000

5101:1-2-60 "The Repatriate program."

This rule describes the policy regarding the repatriate program.  The Office of Family Assistance amended this rule with the following changes: 

  • Updated language in paragraph (A) to include a reference to paragraph (C)(3) regarding who is eligible for the repatriate program;
  • Paragraph (B)(1) was removed and the reference to a time frame of ninety days was replaced with “a period of time in accordance with paragraph (F) of this rule”;
  • Language was added to paragraph (B)(2)(d) regarding the maximum amount of assistance that an individual may be eligible for;
  • Paragraph (D) updated to describe the repatriate program income and resource requirements;
  • Paragraph (F) was moved to paragraph (B)(2)(d) to improve clarity;
  • Updated name of “Privacy Act Statement/Repayment Agreement” to “Privacy Act Repayment Agreement Form”;
  • Minor language changes were also made to improve clarity.